New police chief promising to learn French

Ottawa's new police chief doesn't speak French, but he is promising to hit the books to learn as soon as he starts his new job.

Peter Sloly was announced Monday as the new chief and said learning to communicate in French is a high priority.

"The board is going to put me in school right away, as soon as I join, and I will be studying hard," he said. "It is a regret not being able to come here and be fluent in French, but I am absolutely committed to learning it."

Sloly was previously a deputy police chief in Toronto and worked in the private sector before taking Ottawa's top job.

Ottawa's next police chief committed to learning french

5 years ago

Duration 0:55

Peter Sloly, Ottawa's next chief of police, is not fluent in French but says his commitment to learning the language is "absolute."

Aj Besler, director of the Association des communauts francophones d'Ottawa said Sloly's commitment means a lot.

"In an ideal world, we would have a candidate who was bilingual before starting this important position within the City of Ottawa," she said.

"The new chief has shown that he is open towards French and that he is willing to learn French, so we think that is really excellent."

• 'Judge me on my character,' new police chief asks residents

Besler said they will be watching to ensure the board gives Sloly the time and resources to learn the language.

Ottawa resident and former city council candidate Fabien Kalala, who attended the news conference where Sloly was introduced, echoed Besler's concerns. Kalalasaid he'swilling to take Slolyat his wordthat he will learn French, but urged him to do so quickly.

Sloly said he believes being able to speak to different communities is essential to good policing, which is why he is committed to learning the language.

"I will make sure that stays a high priority for me."

Former chief Charles Bordeleau, who stepped down earlier this year, was bilingual when hired, but another former chief, Vern White, learned on the job.